A Regina man is raising the alarm about a suspected scam after an odd phone call on the weekend from someone claiming his computer needed “fixing.”

“It was a pretty weird experience,” Norm Walker said.

Like anyone with a computer, Walker has grown used to ignoring the array of bogus emails that fill his inbox. But the phone call Saturday afternoon had a bit of a different feel because of the blatantly direct approach. The caller claimed he was with “Windows Corporation.”

“He was claiming that they were getting some sort of error message as a result of some spyware or malware on my computer and he wanted to help me fix it.”

Walker said the caller was very difficult to understand because of what sounded like a thick East Indian accent coupled with a lot of background noise that suggested the man was in a call centre.

After a lengthy introduction, the caller made it clear he wanted Walker to follow his directions to “fix” the computer.

Walker and his wife, who initially picked up the phone, made up their minds pretty quickly. “We decided it was very definitely a scam,” he said. “I had no intention of following any of his instructions.”

But Walker worries someone could fall victim, so contacted the Leader-Post after he had done a bit of online research and quickly discovered such schemes have been making the rounds for the past few years.

The call came from the number 1-999-910-0103. When Walker redialed after ending the call with the man, he got a recording saying the number was out of service. a Google search of that number reveals a litany of complaints from residents around Canada who have received nearly identical calls.

On Microsoft’s website, it warns computer users to beware of such scams, in which the caller often tells the user that a technician will take control of the computer and clean up the “virus.” it adds that Microsoft never randomly calls customers to offer such service.

Walker said the caller’s first direction was to press the Windows key on his computer plus the “R” key. such a prompt would have opened a “Run” dialogue box, opening the door to further commands to the computer — and likely further mischief.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, formerly Project Phonebusters, issued an alert last year about so-called “anti-virus scams.” it notes the scam has been proliferating since March 2010, and police in Manitoba and Ontario dealt with an increasing number of such complaints in 2011.

The callers offer to “repair” the computer, which can involve the installation of software or the customer allowing the representative access to their computer. Payment for the software or repair service is handled via credit card. “Allowing a third party to download software or remotely access a computer carries inherent risks. Keyloggers or other malicious software could be installed to capture sensitive data such as online banking user names and passwords, bank account information, etc.” says the CAFC warning.

Walker tried to engage the caller, asking him “Why are you doing this?” and “What’s in this for you?”

The only response was that he was trying to help.

But Walker suspects the man was trying to help himself — to his computer. he promptly brought the call to an end.

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Regina man raises “anti-virus” scams”